My Last Duchess by Robert Browning

Overview

• Poem Title: My Last Duchess
• Author: Robert Browning
• Setting: Ferrara, Italy
• Form: Dramatic monologue
• Themes: Power, control, jealousy, art, and status

Structure

• The poem is written as a single speech by the Duke of Ferrara to a visitor.
• It is a part of Browning's collection entitled "Dramatic Lyrics."
• The use of rhymed iambic pentameter (heroic couplets).

Summary of Content

• The Duke shows a portrait of his last Duchess, painted on the wall.
• He describes the portrait as lifelike, depicting the Duchess’s lively expression.
• Fra Pandolf: The painter of the Duchess’s portrait, mentioned to emphasize the portrait's value.
• The Duke reveals his possessive and jealous nature through his comments about the Duchess.
• Duchess’s Character:
  • Described as easily pleased and impressed.
  • Appreciative of every gesture and gift, regardless of its value.
  • Her manners appeared to rank the Duke’s noble lineage as equal to common gifts.
• Duke’s Reaction:
  • He resented her behavior and felt insulted by her lack of exclusive admiration.
  • The Duke “gave commands” and then “all smiles stopped together,” implying he orchestrated her death.
• The Duke redirects the conversation to art, showcasing another artwork.

Major Themes

Control and Power

• The Duke's need to control the Duchess even in death by keeping her behind a curtain.
• Art as a tool for control: the portrait as a means for the Duke to possess and control the image of the Duchess.

Jealousy and Possessiveness

• The Duke’s jealousy over the Duchess's amiable nature and her interactions with others.
• His possessiveness leads to a sinister and possibly murderous end.

Art and Perception

• The Duke’s appreciation of art and portrayal of the Duchess as a trophy or object.
• Art serves to signify status and power in the Duke’s perspective.

Analysis

• Narrative Technique:
  • Browning uses the dramatic monologue to reveal the speaker’s character through his own words.
  • The Duke’s speech inadvertently reveals his arrogance, jealousy, and cruelty.
• Symbolism:
  • The Portrait: Represents control over the Duchess and her image.
  • Neptune Taming a Sea-Horse: Symbolizes power and dominance, similar to the Duke's treatment of the Duchess.

Conclusion

• "My Last Duchess" is a reflection on themes of power, control, and the darker aspects of human nature.
• The Duke’s monologue serves as a critique of the possessive and tyrannical nature of aristocratic power.